When were microwaves invented?

Microwaves were invented in 1947, according to How Stuff Works. The first microwave was produced by Raytheon and was called the Radarange. It weighed 750 pounds, was 5 1/2 feet tall and cost $5,000.

Microwaves became available for home use in the early 1950s, but they were not very popular due to their size and cost. In 1967, a 100-volt countertop model was introduced with a price tag of less than $500. Although it was still pricey, it was smaller, safer and more reliable than previous models, and the microwave increased its popularity. By 1975, more microwaves than gas ranges were sold.